Pets Care : Merrick Acquires Castor & Pollux - PetProductNews.com

Merrick Acquires Castor & Pollux - PetProductNews.com

Posted: 16 Apr 2012 05:50 PM PDT

Posted: April 16, 2012, 8:45 p.m. EDT

In a bid to bolster its offerings, Merrick Pet Care Inc. of Amarillo, Texas, today signed a deal to acquire Castor & Pollux Natural PetWorks of Clackamas, Ore. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"The addition of the outstanding Castor & Pollux brands give us a solid footing within the natural and organic space," said Garth Merrick, founder of Merrick Pet Care. "Coupled with some exciting new plans we have to evolve the Merrick brands in the next few months, we are well positioned for growth of our entire Texas-based operation."

Merrick and Castor & Pollux co-founder Brian Connolly will remain board members and investors of the merged entity, as will Merrick CEO Greg Shearson.

"This acquisition is about building a new company that is even stronger than the sum of its parts, Shearson said. "Even in this historically difficult economic environment, we see pet parents seeking higher quality and ingredient certainty in the food choices they are making for themselves and their pets. And together, we can better meet the growing demand for the highest quality pet food."

Merrick Pet Care plans to continue Castor & Pollux's marketing approach but consolidate operations in Texas, which will allow it to more fully use its manufacturing capacity in Hereford, Texas.

The merged company will target the "super premium" and natural/organic segments, which Euromonitor International estimated at $6.2 billion, nearly one-third of the $19 billion pet food market in 2011, and growing faster than other pet food segments.

Key Castor & Pollux brands include Organix, the first food for dogs and cats that met the U.S. Deparment of Agriculture's National Organic Program requirements; Natural Ultramix; and Good Buddy treats and pet supplies. The products have historically been sold in Whole Foods Market, Petco, Petsmart and other retailers.

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